I'm Back!

Before you judge me for, well, disappearing from the blogging world, you should know I had my second child recently. Hooray for babies! So long sleep! Here I am now trying to catch you up.

Parker Augustine was born a healthy 8 lbs 7 oz and 20" long.

First off, I just want to say how much I love nap time. It's a magical time filled with possibilities, hopes, dreams, and promises. Finally, the little ones are tucked in for an afternoon siesta and the world is suddenly your oyster. You can do anything! Pee alone! Indulge in the snacks you can only eat in secret (unless you want to share half with an adorable tot saying, "Please? A bite?"). Do the laundry! Clean the dishes! Or, in my case, open your laptop for the first time in over a month and catch up on some much needed writing.

It's hard to believe, but my newest addition, Parker, is already 7 weeks old and I'm back at my second full-time job (the first being mommyhood). How did that happen so quickly? And for that matter, how in the world is my oldest about to turn 2?

I thought I had learned a lot about being a parent from my first child, but I'm learning all sorts of new things as a second-time mom. For one thing, your ninja-like reflexes really step it up a notch when you're changing a boy's diaper. The score is still in his favor when it comes to direct hits, but I'm holding my own in the dodging department.

Another thing I'm finding is that I'm much more relaxed this time. With my first, I would leap (literally) over furniture to get to my crying baby when she was hungry. Poor Parker has become known as my "just a second" baby since the patient little guy has to wait at least that long for everything. It's not that I love him any less, but I'm usually tied up pinning his sister to the floor for diaper changes or chasing after her when she sprints off down the sidewalk. I'll get into all of that another day, though.

Today is about jumping back in and doing the only thing you really want me to do - posting pictures of adorable babies. So stay tuned for more posts in the coming weeks!

Don't forget to come out to Barnes & Noble Booksellers at the Brandon mall this Saturday, May 17th from noon to 2:00 p.m. for an author book signing event. I'll be there along with several other local authors so come in and say hi (and maybe buy a book or two!).

Hey, Mom. I See You Dancing in Your Car.

There are few no-judgment zones in this world. I like to think the inside of my car is one of them. I'm sure I'm wrong and, in fact, can only imagine the number of drivers who constantly judge my front seat off-key karaoke concerts. But the great thing about believing the inside of my car is a no-judgment zone is that I don't care that I'm wrong.

Who wouldn't play the fool just to see this little grin?

I think it's important that all moms feel this way and, really, at least a good percentage of them must. Otherwise, I would be the only parent putting my right arm in and shaking it all about in my seat. I've seen you do this, too. Red lights are everywhere. (Although if you're doing this when your kids aren't in the car, we may need to have a separate talk about that.)

Flailing my hands around and wiggling my butt mid-commute carries its own perks. Am I waving at the driver in front of me? Watching him try to figure it out is always fun. Unfortunately, he doesn't see his sedan as the no-holds-barred safety zone that I do. That's why his arm raises slightly in a daring attempt to return the wave and then drops suddenly as gumption fades into uncertainty. After all, if I'm not waving at him, he doesn't want to look like a fool. No, no, driver. We wouldn't want that.

It occurs to me that the writers of many classic kids' songs had more than childish entertainment in mind when creating accompanying gestures. If not for the potential for parental foolhardiness, why else would there be so much clapping, stomping, and barking? Luckily, I don't shy away from a little embarrassment.

That's odd. It seems none of my potentially embarrassing photos will load properly. Oh, well.

The point is (yes, I was eventually making my way to a point), most parents will do just about anything to get a giggle out of their child. If it means I have to march in place (challenging while driving) so my daughter can see "Father Abraham" come to life, so be it. Every time my hand smacks the window during "Deep and Wide" I'm reminded that nothing is more rewarding than that tiny laugh from the backseat. Besides, there's no substitute for the pride I feel each time Bailey does the hand motions for "The Wheels on the Bus". Just be sure you're practicing safe driving during all live performances.

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Daycare Do-Over

Daycare, apparently, doesn't always spell heartache for parents. Who knew? Having recently switched my 1 year old daughter from a chain daycare center to a church preschool, I've learned two important lessons: 1) I'm not the pain in the butt mom I was beginning to think I was; and 2) preschool really can be wonderful - if you find the right one.

At daycare #1, Bailey was passed from one teacher to the next throughout the day. By the time I arrived to pick her up, the current teacher had only been with her for an hour, making details of her day more elusive than disappearing spit-up.

Still playful at the end of the day!

The first several weeks were a battle for information and reassurance. While teachers kept a daily report of meals, bottles, and diaper changes, incomplete forms and missing information constantly left me wondering. My only indication that she was being well cared for was Bailey's attachment to her main teacher and the fact that she was always happy to be there.

Since this was my first and only experience with any daycare center, I began to wonder whether my expectations were unusually high and whether I was, in fact, a pain in the butt mom. (Keep in mind, I really didn't care whether this was the case. In my opinion, every parent has the inherent right to be demanding, unreasonable, and generally terrifying when it comes to the safety and well-being of their child. Period.)

Fast forward a few weeks and we find Bailey thriving at her new preschool. She even reached for her teacher (singular, as in one teacher all day everyday) on the second day. Her teacher tells me all about her day before I even ask - providing information about meals, play time, naps, her general attitude, etc.

Baseball shirt day at preschool!

The only question I find myself wondering is: who loves her preschool more, Bailey or me? Aside from the exceptional care and ridiculously nice playground (even I want to climb the massive tree and serve breakfast in their playhouses), she's surrounded by an amazing staff who all genuinely love her. Monthly calendars with cowboy hat day, pizza luncheons, and Friday water day show me how much effort they apply in ensuring the kids are having fun. As a Christian mom, I also love that my daughter is learning Bible stories, spending time in chapel, and learning the Pledge of Allegiance.

A partial view of the playground.

After the guilt, pain, and heartache of leaving my first-born with strangers, this church preschool is, well, a Godsend. Not only am I confident my child is in loving and capable hands, but seeing how much fun she has and all the new things she's learning really helps to alleviate the working mom guilt so many of us experience.

For moms out there who are struggling with dreaded daycare centers, take heed. Finding the perfect fit for your family can mean a world of difference for your child's growth and your peace of mind. Just keep looking until you find your diaper changing oasis; it's out there.